Last updated: 7/29/2003

On July 15, just 3 days after my 17th birthday I went to the doctor because I was beginning to have seizure symptoms. That day they did an MRI and we found out that I had an "un-operable "brain tumor. About a week later a biopsy was done on the tumor to determine its grade and makeup. The result was that I had a Grade 3 oligodendroglioma about the size of a tennis ball. After talking to hundreds the best surgeons in the world we talked with Dr. Mitch Berger at U of CAL, San Fran. He had done brain surgery on tumors like this in the past and had many successful results. So on Oct 24, 2001 Dr. Berger removed as much of the tumor as he felt safe.

Pre-surgery I was told I wouldn't be able to create speech or move the right side of my body for some time, and I would never return to 100%. However only 1.5 days later I was walking and talking and the morning of the second day I was discharged. Within a week I was back to 90% and i returned to school. However; MRIs found that the tumor was not completely gone. A small questionable area a fuss was still visible on the MRI.

So I began chemotherapy. Now a year later I just finished my last treatment of chemo. The MRIs now show no trace of the tumor, and I am back to 100%! I could not be happier. =) I hope I can be of inspiration to some just beginning the journey of defeating cancer. There is light at the end of the tunnel...I am standing in it. It is beautiful. =)
Good Luck.

Eric Lindstrom
For more information, go to: Eric's World